BEHS girls' golf team takes home state trophy
What a difference a week makes.
After sharing first-place honors with Bluffton in the Class AAA girls’ Lower State championship, Bishop England coach Christine Ronco wasn’t sure what to expect when her team teed it up in the Class AAA state championship, which was contested at Carolina Springs Golf Club in Fountain Inn.
But the Bishops overcame a case of the jitters with some extremely impressive talent – and leadership – to top Bluffton by 42 strokes to claim their second straight state title.
“When you go into any tournament, you’re really not sure what’s going to happen,” Ronco said after her team carded a two-day total of 645 to Bluffton’s 687. “This is probably my most experienced group of girls since I came here eight years ago. But you just never know. It can be a case of the nerves that make it tough to overcome – and win.”
The Bishops won the Class AA title last fall, but faced some stiff competition at the new level. Bluffton and Bishop England tied for top honors at Lower State as both teams recorded 314s in the one-day competition.
The Bishops led the Bobcats 315-334 after the first day of the state championship, but Ronco said her team felt uneasy.
“During the second day, the girls walked in under the tent saying, ‘We don’t think we have it,’” Ronco said. “During competition, you play with girls from other teams, so you’re not sure what the rest of your teammates are doing. But everything fell into place.”
Senior Kathleen Sumner, who is headed to Florida State on a golf scholarship, played in her last girls’ high school match. She capped her brilliant career with rounds of 73 and 73 to capture third place individually. Her score was lower because she three-putted four times on the back 9. But she recovered with some impressive birdies.
“She is the solid one,” Ronco said. “I know she will do well at Florida State. The best players don’t show frustration out there when things don’t go their way. When something doesn’t go her way, it doesn’t affect her. That’s a sign of a good golfer.”
Kennedy Carroll finished tied for ninth in the individual standings with a pair of 78s to finish at 156. Senior Emma Wofford shot a 160, while seventh-grader Ally Dominiak shot a 90 on the first day, but didn’t compete in the second day.
Freshman Katerina Klein showed promise in such a big match with a 183.
“Kathleen and Emma helped start something good out here,” Ronco said. “They helped build the team. Losing them is very bitter-sweet. They helped create such a team.”
Ronco also had praise for Carroll.
“She has really come around,” Ronco said. “Her father (Stephen) is always there and is her rock. Her dad and her passion will help her go far. She’ll do just as well as Kathleen, I think.”